Pundits love numbers. Scientist will swear by their statistical numbers and lottery ticket buyers would petition the heavens for them.
Malaysia seems to have grown an attachment to the Najib’s favourite number - 11.
It is the point of reference to election pundits near and far. It is a number that signifies whether Barisan Nasional would return a strong mandate for Najib to retain the premiership or to give Pakatan Rakyat a fast-track to Putra Jaya.
Though the number has been coined by Najib, there are some who believe that calling snap elections now would actually be detrimental to the BN cause. The opposition has made in-roads in Malaysia, they argue. Shore up support first among the grassroots and focus on strengthening BN before going to polls, they insist. Break the opposition's back and then only, go for the kill.
Something we have seen played out before us the past few months leading up to the Sarawak state elections. And the attacks have intensified, with onslaughts ruthlessly against the very fabric of Malaysia’s homogenous society.
The next step may be the use of force to physically deny the opposition the numbers they need.
Human beings are creatures of habit and there is nothing different with BN. They have used the same tactics over and over again. Misinformation via the main stream media, trump up character assassination attempts, inducing sectarian violence and igniting racial tensions.
Next in line, is very likely the abuse of the Internal Security Act – ISA.
The Umno elite
Will there be another Ops Lalang, a mass arrest of political opponents before the coming general elections?
If the option was left to Najib to decide, then the answer may be a resounding “Maybe Not”.
Najib on his own has shown himself to be a reactive leader who is more concerned for his public image. Wishy-washiness rather that clear-cut decisiveness is the key to his character and now the trademark of his administration.
Najib's need to be the superstar on the stage of Malaysian politics means he would prioritize his public image above all else. He wants to look good in the eyes of the Malaysian public and far more in the eyes of the Malay majority. He is more concerned in looking and sounding good, the consummate entertainer concerned most about maintaining his status as a celebrity adored by the mass public.
If the decision was left outside of Najib’s hand, then the possibility it will happen is higher. This is not to say it won't happen under Najib.
There are forces in BN who are not interested in what the general public thinks of them. This is a group that wants to remain in absolute control over all things in Malaysia. This is a group that seeks to annihilate any form of opposition towards their authority.
It is this group that sways influence with Najib, to whom Najib bows to and complies with. Why? Because he is one of them. The ruthless Umno elite.
The tipping point
The issue to watch now is the whole Christian prime minister debacle.
Utusan Malaysia ran away with a warning and a pat on the back for putting in place a convenient point to build a case against the opposition front in Malaysia. The fact that DAP was mentioned in this incident reeks of a pending political smack-down from BN.
The police investigation into this incident is now baiting for another corner-stone point of contention, a point strong enough to initiate a reactive response from the authorities, strong enough to justify arresting without trial their political opponents.
The stage is set for just cause to round up all the trouble-makers in Malaysia, all it needs is a strong enough point to ignite the masses.
Unfortunately for the BN and its instruments, Malaysians are not as easily hood-winked as before.
It is time for everyday Malaysians to make a stand and take active part in governing our nation. The people should not be afraid of speaking out against their elected representatives. The people should take their elected representative to task and call for more realistic and affirmative action to be taken in regards to the real issues affecting and dragging down this country.
In order to stop history from repeating itself in the form of Ops Lalang version 2.0, Malaysians should stand up.
Be united and send a message to the establishment, that if you are not up to the task then be the gentleman and step aside to allow those who can.
- Malaysia Chronicle
mi1: Advisory board - Mahathir Mohd, sons & cronies
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